Kirwan Wins Court Ruling On Election

The only outstanding election in the state appears to have wrapped up today, with Republican Thomas Kirwan winning a state appeals court ruling to toss 58 disputed votes in his race against Democrat Frank Skartados in the Hudson Valley.

The ruling means Kirwan has a 15-vote lead over Skartados, and Republicans say Kirwan is now officially the winner.

“He is the victor in the race for the 100th Assembly District,” said Josh Fitzpatrick, spokesman for Assembly Republicans.

The race was undecided after the November elections and has dragged on through the courts. Skartados has been disputing 58 affidavit ballots.

Kirwan has 15,084 votes compared to 15,069 for Skartados.

Skartados could appeal the case to the state’s highest court, the Court of Appeals. There was no immediate comment from Assembly Democrats or Skartados on their next step.

The district covers parts of Orange, Ulster and Dutchess counties, including the cities of Poughkeepsie, Beacon and Newburgh.